LOS ANGELES (AP) — Flash flood warnings are in effect Tuesday night for parts of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties as heavy rains move through the region.
The National Weather Service says rainfall rates of 2 inches per hour are being recorded in some parts, and residents are warned to avoid streams and areas of runoff.
The warnings are in effect well into the evening hours.
Joshua Tree National Park spokesman Joe Zarki says torrential rains caused widespread flash flooding in the Pinto Basin and Cottonwood Spring areas of the park.
Lightning strikes also set palm trees ablaze in Southern California desert areas near Palm Springs early Tuesday as thunderstorms quickly rolled across the region.
Heavy rains helped firefighters douse those fires before they could spread.
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